HELP ME! I need to compress all my files

Ok so heres my dilema. I have 180GB of hard drive and i have stored movies, pictures and programs & I need to compress them. I don’t know how to make it so I don’t lose quality and can make it free up some space on my hard drive. For example I ripped dvds to folders and they have VOB files and I copied all my music to my computer. How do I compress this so it takes up less space?!!! I can’t get an external hard drive at the moment so untill then I need to make everything smaller. Any help would be greatly greatly apreciated. If you have tips or any comments don’t hesistate to do so! Thanks:)

Again depends on the file type/format.
Maybe converting from e.g. .wav to .wma or .mp3 would reduce filesize without a noticible loss of quality.
Note: wma / mp3 are “compressed” formats.@effigy233:

…i have stored … pictures …

Again depends on the file type/format.
If your pictures are “bit mapped” ( .bmp) then converting to .jpg or .png will reduce the filesize without a noticible loss of quality.
Note: .jpg / .png are “compressed” formats.

When your dvds, pictures, music is converted into one of the compressed formats, further attempts to compress the files using e.g. Zip or 7z could actually INCREASE the amount of disk space required.

The only way to reduce disk space further would be to collect them into a single file or groups of files (improving the actual block size used on the hard disk); for this you could try TAR format - with NO compression.@effigy233:

… i have stored programs …

Do you mean the program installation (setup) files or the actual folder(s) from e.g. “Program Files” folder.

Most setup files are already compressed and so the above warnings apply again.

Of course, after converting/compressing, to then view/play your files, you will need sufficient free disk space to allow the extraction from the archive first.

Davidsplash I 100% agree with you! With the online registration part it is and continues to be a royal pain in the backside! of which wont change.
However, there are work arounds that if you havnt tried already take note as its reduces the problem.
1. When upgrading/installing clean windows xp vista dont register untill the last week.
2. Download or obtain Service Packs CD’s and install them before using windows update this keeps windows clean from fragmented updates which CAN and DO cause glitches despite what people say.
3. Create a backup of all your Drivers use a program such as “Driver Genius” and keep it archived. This means you can roll out upgrades for same spec systems far faster and in theory you have already tested the drivers and know 100% they work without problems.
Once all the above is done and you are happy with the stability you can either register windows or format the system start from scratch but this time use the Driver Genius backup files to update your system with all the known and trusted drivers.
on another note through testing Windows 7 Microsoft are really pushing the boat out on making this OS backward system compatible. Meaning if you use 2000/XP it will work without significant impact.
They are developing an inteligant code which looks at the system specs and only installs required components needed to run. Unlike Vista where it installs everything but then disables the features if your system isnt up to stratch and the problem is it is still their in the background hoging up space and memmory!!

I do not want cloud backup. I have a service and am happy with it.
I do not want imaging backup. Tried it and didn’t like it.
I want a program that will backup the files I specify efficiently (without insanely slowly down the system), on a schedule, and with some decent options (exact copy, plain copy, versions, etc.).
I have used a program I liked (SecondCopy) for at least a dozen years. Never thought I would change. But they are now on beta 4 on Version 9 – after starting on beta 1 some 7-8 months ago.
It is still plagued with nagging problems. I keep trying it, finally uninstall the beta and reinstalling version 8. This is getting tiresome.
It is time to look for an option.
However, I am not having any luck. I keep find online backups and imaging software. But I don’t want either.
Ideas?
I would appreciate your guidance.
Hugh